The sky’s the limit for Guy Williams and Joseph Trunkfield in the LeMieux Puissance
Friday 16 December 2022
The LeMieux Puissance provided a fitting conclusion to the opening day of The London International Horse Show on Thursday 15 December with 11 combinations taking on the challenge. The famous red wall was raised to 2.15m in the fifth round, a height that could only be cleared by Guy Williams, riding Caroline Phillips’ Mr Blue Sky UK, and Joseph Trunkfield, with James Ingham’s Cruze - both striking greys. Williams has an exceptional Puissance record at the Show with his partner, Mr Blue Sky UK, and made it back-to-back wins in this class following his victory last year.
Another previous winner of The London International Horse Show Puissance William Whitaker, riding Victoria Smith’s Flamboyant III, jumped the 2.05m in round 4, but was unlucky to nudge the bricks out of the top of the wall. Show debutant, Sebastian Hughes, riding his own Colorado Volo, finished fourth, having made it to round four but opted to retire on the approach to the wall.
Commenting on his victory, Joseph Trunkfield, said: “It’s unbelievable. Watching these classes as a kid it was Guy winning back then and being on the podium with him now is fantastic, a dream come true. I arrived here earlier and really felt the pressure of being at such a big show, but as riders we like a big occasion – it makes us want to win more. I knew the horse could do it, I had confidence in that, but this is a massive night for me, it’s fantastic. The crowd absolutely make it – the lap of honour, seeing all the kids and the Christmas spirit, there’s nothing like it.”
Guy Williams also commented: "He jumps the wall very well and actually his hardest rounds are the first couple as he’s a little bit spooky. It’s a great class to win, so it’s the perfect start to the week. The crowd were amazing, they really understand the sport and they love it.”
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Image: Peter Nixon
